(Philip's letter to the leaders of the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee)------------------------------------------------- February 6, 1998 Dear Leaders of the C.O.G. Many of you received a letter and cassette from my father that addressed some moral and spiritual problems in only one class at Lee. The problems at Lee University are far more serious and deeply rooted than he could have known, not being a student as I am. The purpose of this letter is not to talk derogatorily of Lee, its faculty or its students. It is written to you as a cry for righteousness to be upheld on every level. My CallWhile attending Lee University for the past 3 years, I majored in Bible and Theology and minored in intercultural studies. My goal is to go to Cuba and work in the ministry for Christ. I am uniquely privileged to pursue this course because of my Honduran birth. Castro was also born in Honduras and, thus, maintains a cordial relationship between the two nations. Until recently, my vision for Cuba would have become a reality but is now thwarted by Dr. Bowdle. Where does the Church of God stand?I have been made aware of a study that Dr. Conn did 15 years ago. His study supposedly demonstrated that many C.O.G. ministers no longer conformed to the official Declaration of Faith. Further, in my Pastoral Ministry class we were told of the unprecedented numbers of C.O.G. ministers that have recently been defrocked for their moral failings. We were informed that the figures were so high that they could not be published. Could this short fall be a result of their training at Lee University? Are the good members of the C.O.G. unwittingly backing an institution that is destroying the faith of their ministers? I believe the following facts will demonstrate that the answer is "yes." Attention!What you heard on my tape of Dr. Bowdle's class is only a snow flake in a storm. I have more to tell you of Dr. Bowdle but the problems at Lee University go far beyond his classroom lectures. You will be shocked by these facts! As a student of Lee, I have often observed anti-Pentecostal statements and prejudices from the highest administrative offices. In a special "ask the president day" Dr. Conn spoke about the men on the board of directors over Lee. While answering questions concerning dress policies on shorts in class, men wearing ear rings, etc. he gave the impression that the board was a bunch of old-fashioned men that are hard to get anything by. He said, "Believe me, none of you would want to face them." He reassured us that he was doing all that he could in order to bring the college up to date. Anti-Revival AttitudeLater, my roommate approached me about what Dr. Conn was teaching in General Psychology class. He had publicly announced that he "despised students that come here to Lee and impose their style of worship on others by raising their hands . . ." He also confessed that "psychological answers to situations are more readily accessible than spiritual answers." In his last message of this fall semester, he tried to shame the student body for praying for revival because he supposed that they are seeking an expected external response. He spoke nothing of a true inward revival of holiness nor did he allude to the fact that we students, pastors and future overseers need to carry the torch into the next century. Dear God, who will stand in the gap?!! (His last sermon to the students of the year of '97 is available at the Lee Chapel Office as are all of their chapel tapes.) Dr. Conn appears to have taken his Methodist training to heart. Our situationThe tape you received of Dr. Bowdle's class demonstrated that Dr. Bowdle denies the inspiration of Scripture by saying, "It is good literature. Remember that we've got to allow the writers, as intelligent as they were, to write good literature." He also denies the miraculous power of prayer by saying, "Prayer does change things. It changes the way I look at circumstances. It doesn't change the circumstances." Finally he opposed the holiness of God when he said, "I can't change God's mind by how good I live or how bad I live." In addition to the recorded errors of Dr. Bowdle, I have notes and quotations from his classes. In these sessions he openly opposed many Church of God teachings and practices. I would be willing to expand on these matters with any interested party. Dr. Bowdle stands in opposition to the Church of God in the following areas:
Dr. Bowdle taught and demonstrated to my colleagues and me that, beyond all shadow of doubt, we should compromise to appease the laity. Dr. Bowdle's own deception would cause any honest person to blush. While telling of his authorship of C.O.G. Sunday School literature, he admitted that he compromised (hid) his true beliefs to appease the greater audience of people. After earning his readers acceptance, he told us that he was able to interject a foundation for his teaching which is Modernistic Calvinism. He explained that "the people back home didn't know as much as the people at Lee." Please remember that one day all of us will be sick and old. Who would want a feigned prayer of faith from a compromising Calvinist? Just think, someday, you all will have one of Dr. Bowdle's pupils praying for you, your children or even grandchildren. There is still time to change! Further embarrassmentGentlemen, upon trying to receive counseling from Dr. Boone, our Department Chairman, my questions of integrity solicited the response that "I am unqualified to answer you (a student) in Theological matters." When I referred to the guidelines of the C.O.G., he ignored me and made personal references to me that I was narrow minded. He counseled me to make an academic request and told me what I should write to appeal my situation. Out of respect I obeyed him in this. I needed to have the grade of a low "F" removed for the present class of Systematic Theology with Dr. Bowdle due to his prejudice toward me for my personal Evangelical persuasions based on the same scriptures from which the Declaration of Faith originated. The request was denied by Dr. Conn and others due to the following consideration. Dr. Boone said, "The faculty is very close here at Lee. We cannot allow one of our members to be attacked and not stand with him." My question is, "What if he is at a variance with scripture and the Church of God doctrine?" Further, he joined lock-step with his cronies against Pentecostal faith and the inspiration of Scripture, by asserting that he did not hear anything on the tape that was disagreeable. Cry aloud and spare not . . .I cannot wait too long before escalating my requests because I would like to return to Lee and complete my studies. Presently, I am not in classes at Lee because of its hostile atmosphere against my Pentecostal heritage and faith. Even now I am preparing a Web page describing Lee's false advertising and the fact that it does not truly hold to the Declaration of Faith and strongly promotes anti-Pentecostal teaching. I will also include a transcript of Dr. Bowdle's class, and many other documented embarrassments. I will show how that Lee University has defrauded me through their false claims of faith, thus, the world will know even as God already knows. Your valuable response will determine my next step. I am asking for a reply from each of you as to your view of Scripture, and your commitment to bring Lee back to its Pentecostal foundation. If you speak well but do not act, it is a sin. (James 4:17) If evil men are hindering you from action, I would like to know their names. If no action is forthcoming and no response is received, I already have my list of names and will call for their removal at the next General Assembly. A lack of action places each one in alliance with Dr. Bowdle's Modernistic Reformed Theology. This letter will confirm your personal testimony of faithfulness before Jesus Christ. Give God a firm answer as to your stewardship of His Church! Sirs, these men have betrayed you, the students of Lee, the tithe payers of the Church of God and above all our soon returning Lord Jesus Christ. I implore you to standup for the students at Lee; get rid of these three infidels! We are being robbed of our culture, raped of our faith and denied our Pentecostal heritage! I prayerfully wait for your reply as you exercise your courage. I am but a youth like Timothy or Jeremiah, nevertheless, I have God's Word in my heart and his Scripture in my hand. If I am given a normal life, my ministry will extend far into the next century and I will have a story to tell about a generation of mighty men of faith. However, if things go poorly, I will stand as a witness against these same men at the judgment seat of Christ. Such an occasion cannot be avoided. Your servant in Christ, Mr. Philip Duane Thorpe - - Senior BA in Bible and Theology |